Be First, the urban regeneration arm of Barking & Dagenham Council, will be installing secure cycle facilities across the borough in 2023. The efforts will bring essential cycling infrastructure to the borough, continuing Be First’s Active Travel programme to encourage people to travel without their cars.
Cycle hangars are a form of parking suitable in residential areas for commuters and leisure riders who need to store their bicycles on a long-term basis, providing shelter, security, and easy access for people’s bicycles.
Be First has created an interactive map for users to see where existing cycle hangars are and signpost the locations they want to see new cycle hangars installed. The ultimate locations will be selected based on resident demands, and sites with suitable accessibility and safety will be shortlisted for implementation.
Victoria Spashett, Transport Planning Officer at Be First, said: “This is the latest in a range of initiatives we’re launching across the borough to support the local community to get on their bikes – we recently launched the Becontree Heath Cycle Hub to provide an array of bicycle repair services. Our community cycling activities and projects have been hugely successful so far and we’re excited to expand our offering – we want to hear from Barking & Dagenham residents to ensure these cycle hangars are as impactful as possible.”
Cllr Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement & Community Safety at London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, said: “This is an important step in our ongoing mission to make it easier for Barking & Dagenham residents to choose active travel over cars – it will make it easier and safer for people to store their bicycles. We’re asking residents’ to share their views – so we can ensure the new cycle hangars are in the best possible location and provide people with the essential cycling infrastructure they need.
“We’re proud to continue progressing our active travel programme to deliver a safer and healthier Barking and Dagenham.”
This consultation will run from 21 June until 23:59 on 31 July. If you’re interested in learning more about this and contributing, please visit https://oneboroughvoice.lbbd.gov.uk/have-you-say-on-new-bike-storage
Spaces in these hangars will be free of charge for the first year (a £25 refundable key deposit per user is required) and subject to funding, subsidised in following years.
